ostracism

[Mitzi]

Being shunned, it's the hardest thing in the world.
When I was reading the article about the K9 officer leaving his dog in the car, resulting in it's death, I know some of you are really angry that he could forget something like that.
Like I said, it could have been what you are terming stupidity. But it could be a physical problem, like diabetes or a brain tumor...any number of things.
15 years ago, I did something that I will never forgive myself for. I can't go into it...It's too painful. There was a reason it happened (emotional abuse from childhood and no, I am not a pedophile...It was nothing sexual or had anything to do with a child)
The reason my heart went out to this officer is I know what it feels like to do something so totally stupid you never forgive yourself.
Here it is, 15 years later,and I'm still not forgiving myself.
But I know what it's like to be shunned and ridiculed because of the mistake I made. I still am. Nothing I ever did redeemed me in certain peoples eyes. It was horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Through this time, I had only one person who was there for me.....my husband. If it hadn't been for him, I don't know what I would have done. He was my Rock and kept telling me that everyone makes mistakes, even the people that won't talk to me still. The worse part was that, because of me, my son was excluded from a lot of things and that broke my heart.
Remember, when you are perfect, THEN you can judge.
But, I'me here to tell you the one that will punish him the most is.....himself.

[ 06-02-2002: Message edited by: Mitzi ]

[jellybean40]

Yes, we all punish ourselves enough. that's why i dont care what other people think of what i say and do..."you cant please everyone, so you gotta please yourself" as someone once sang. (and i cant remember who right now lol)

we're all responsible for our own actions; unfortunately, sometimes.

ya know how to **** off those that talk about you?? hold your head up high and smile.

[ 06-02-2002: Message edited by: jellybean40 ]

[lone ranger]

Mitzi yours words are true but...

Cops, pilots, and soldiers, tend to be very unforgiving. Shunning those within our ranks that make serious mistakes. And it may seem cruel but it's not without reason.

All of those jobs require hundreds of decisions to be made in a day, some of them have almost no impact and some of them have life or death seriousness.

Perhaps it's because we don't want to admit that, we too, are human and subject to the same lapses of judgement that other humans make.

Perhaps it's because it takes a long time to build the trust of the people you work with, to prove yourself under fire. After all, when will the next mistake come? Will it be when the guy is supposed to be watching my back? Or will the guy just get himself killed or worse, someone we our supposed to protect?

True the guy should be respected for the time he's spent doing the job right. But would you want to work with someone that has made that kind of mistake? Would you sleep well knowing he out there protecting you?

Cops, pilots, and soldiers, tend to be unforgiving, but we work in an unforgiving world.